Getting the Christmas message

Saturday

Dec 22, 2012 at 12:42 AMDec 22, 2012 at 12:44 AM

Erich Murphy's annual Christmas column

Erich Murphy

It is Christmas time. In case you couldn’t tell, the commercialization of the season has been noticeable for nearly two months. Part of that commercialization is in the media. Have you not heard the Christmas songs, the tunes devoted to Santa Claus and to giving of presents and receiving of same? Have you not seen the old television specials? Certainly no one is blind to the fact that it is the holiday season. I love Christmas. I love the commercialization, the music, the TV shows. I enjoy being able to go out shop for my honey without her knowing what I’m getting. While I am experiencing these things in some manner for the 50th time in my life, I am not losing sight of what Christmas means; what it’s supposed to mean. Do not forget that Christmas is a time to honor and recognize the birth of Jesus Christ. That meaning has not been lost on the media, at least in some form. In the medium of music, many carols are directly related to the birth of Jesus. “O Holy Night” is my personal favorite. It is also known as “Cantique de Noël” and has been recorded by opera performers, pop musicians and, of course, choirs, to mention a few music types. I have sung it at Christmas Eve service at my church of couple of times and am proud to have been able to hit the high note. I’m not sure I can hit it anymore. Singing Christmas songs in church is a highlight for me. I love the music and there is so much meaning to it in that setting that it cannot be anything but joyful. Television has also provided many Christmas offerings. The specials are where the entertainment lies. The regular shows doing a Christmas theme don’t cut it, but watching Charlie Brown or Rudolph or Frosty the Snowman or even the Grinch is always a good time. My wife and I took two of the clowns to see a stage production of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” in Chicago 10 days ago. It was a play based on the story that has become quite popular thanks to Boris Karloff and animation. I still love “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Besides feeling a kinship with the round-headed kid who loves baseball, I believe there is one part of the show that really speaks out to the audience. It is Linus trying to comfort Charlie Brown after the other kids made fun of that scrawny tree. A disillusioned Charlie Brown said he guessed he didn’t know the meaning of Christmas. He asked, “Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus replied, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” That was from Luke in the New Testament. It is a powerful message, one that fills the heart and soul with emotion in knowing that the Lord has given us the greatest gift when Jesus was born. Merry Christmas, my friends and God bless you all.